Early Childhood Business Manager Full Time NEW

You will work conjointly with the Director of Sandpipers to facilitate the day-to-day financial, operational, administrative, and leadership of a high-quality early learning program accredited by BrightStars and licensed by Department of Human Services. The Business Manager ensures fiscal integrity, regulatory compliance, and operational efficiency while supporting high-quality educational outcomes aligned with BrightStars standards and performance and quality improvement (PQI) principles.

The Business Manager partners closely with the Program Director and agency leadership to sustain financially sound and high-quality early education programming that supports children, staff, and families that are consistent with the organization’s mission.

Your Main Priorities

While additional responsibilities are likely to arise on the job, you will primarily:

Financial Management & Fiscal Oversight

• In partnership with Program Director, monitor and manage annual operating budgets across programs, classrooms, and funding streams
• Work in collaboration with finance and PQI to ensure accounts payable/receivable, payroll processing, tuition billing, subsidies, and reimbursements occur in a coordinated and seamless fashion
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and private funding requirements (e.g., Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) Department of Human Services (DHS), Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE), and Kids Connect, and Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
• Work with Finance to develop annual budgets, financial reviews, and required fiscal reporting, monthly profit, and loss statements

Compliance & BrightStars Alignment

• Support BrightStars accreditation by maintaining documentation related to:
• Fiscal management
• Human resources
• Administrative policies
• Family engagement
• Student and classroom engagement
• Curriculum and classroom environment
• Align business operations with BrightStars quality indicators and performance and quality improvement plans
• Ensure compliance with DHS licensure, health and safety regulations, and labor requirements

Human Resources & Payroll Administration

• Work with the People and Culture Department (HR) to ensure program is fully staffed with high quality educators and support staff including onboarding, training, scheduling, and supervision
• Support workforce initiatives related to retention, compensation structures, and professional development (including ECE credentialing requirements)
• Support culture of staff engagement

Operations & Systems Management

• Work with Director overseeing administrative systems (finance, Paycom, BrightWheel, Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) and Self Pay/Military, Kids Connect and other enrollment, attendance, billing)
• Manage meals program, catering relationship, and CACFP program
• Support daily program staffing, classroom assignments, Kids Connect program, and substitute management
• Manage daily attendance, parent communication, and Sandpipers environment

Data, Reporting & Decision Support

Work with Director to:

• Track enrollment, revenue, expenses, staffing ratios, and utilization
• Review and respond to financial statements, program utilization by classroom and funder mix
• Monitoring the Kids Connect program for quality, accuracy, and staffing capacity
• Support grant writing and reporting through accurate fiscal data and narratives

Leadership & Collaboration

• Work seamlessly with Program Director to implement program goals and activities on a daily basis
• Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to strategic planning and organizational growth
• Provide supervision to administrative or fiscal support staff (as applicable)
• Collaborate with program, education, and quality teams to balance mission, quality, and financial sustainability

Family Support and Collaboration

• Support parental involvement and family engagement
• Cofacilitate family Advisory Board
• Support culture and climate of family input and family voice

Who You Are

Requirements, Skills & Abilities:

• Associate’s degree in business administration, Finance, Accounting, non‑Profit Management, or a related field, bachelor’s degree preferred
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working in a Childcare setting required; minimum 3-5 years of business, finance, or operations management experience, preferably within early childhood education or nonprofit or human services organizations; supervisory experience preferred
• Knowledge of nonprofit accounting and budget management, public and private funding streams strongly preferred
• Experience supporting accreditation, quality systems or continuous improvement frameworks (BrightStars or similar) preferred
• Familiarity with BrightStars quality standards and Rhode Island ECE systems (or equivalent state QRIS)
• Experience with subsidy programs (e.g., CCAP), grant reconciliation, and cost allocation
• Proficiency with financial and administrative software systems
• Commitment to equity, inclusion, and family-centered practices
• Strong analytical skills, organizational, and communication skills
• Strong critical thinking and time-management skills
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Leadership
• The ideal candidate will be required to meet all background checks and medical clearances required for the position

Physical Requirements

Direct Service Staff:

This position requires time sitting, standing, walking, carrying and lifting up to 25lbs. This role also requires operating desktop, laptop and/or cell phone, and communicating with colleagues.

Equal Employment Opportunity

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